On the recordJuly 7, 2016
It is a surprise to the gentleman that we still have 6 months to go in this Congress and in this administration. This amendment would limit the administration's ability to propose or finalize important rules or regulations. The administration issues rules because Congress has conveyed a specific responsibility to them. Rather than enact every contingency into law, we rely on public comment and technical advice to make sure the laws are implemented efficiently. Taking a myopic view of our Nation's regulatory practices is nothing new for the majority. Time and time again we have seen appropriations riders and authorizing legislation that only looks at the costs associated with agency rules and completely ignores the associated benefits. This amendment is no different. These proposals overlook the extensive review process that already exists for rules. For example, every new rule is already scrutinized up and down by numerous Federal agencies as well as key stakeholders and the public. For economically significant rules, an agency must provide the Office of Management and Budget with an assessment and, to the extent possible, a quantification of the benefits and costs of the proposed rule. In accordance with Executive Order 12866, the agency has to justify the costs associated with the rule, and these costs are justified with benefits--something this amendment appears to think don't exist. But that is just false.…
